A Fairfield school administrator has been selected as the superintendent of an upstate region's public schools.

Anna Cutaia-Leonard, the director of elementary education here, was hired to be superintendent of schools of Regional District 14, encompassing the towns of Woodbury and Bethlehem.

Cutaia-Leonard was selected from a pool of nine candidates, four of whom were interviewed, according to a press release from District 14. The district comprises four schools and a pre-school program.

Cutaia-Leonard's "accomplishments are exemplary and her collaborative leadership skills will be great for our district," George Bauer, chairman of the Regional School District 14 Board of Education, said in the statement. "She is extremely energetic and has a deep, genuine passion for the well-being of students and achievement."

Asked to comment on Cutaia-Leonard's departure from the Fairfield school district, Superintendent David Title said, "During her six years here, Dr. Cutaia-Leonard has brought passion, intelligence and vigor to the Fairfield public schools. She led major changes in curriculum, instruction, assessment and improved unity to our elementary schools.

"It is a huge loss to the system, but I am proud to have her as a superintendent colleague," Title added.

"I am humbled by the overwhelming show of support expressed by Board of Education members and Region 14 staff," Cutaia-Leonard said of the new job. "I look forward to working in partnership with the Woodbury and Bethlehem communities for the betterment of all students."